Vinyl pressings
by Gale Storm · 1957
Dark Moon / A Little Too Late was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1957, the album's first year, in 7 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
MW 9562-7 I A4Runout A side, variant 1
MW 9563-8 I A̶ B3Runout B side, variant 1
MW 9562-8 I A1Runout A side, variant 2
MW 9563-8 I A2Runout B side, variant 2
45 M-9562 RE ⑥ Δ14545A Side, runout, etched
45-M-9563 re ⑥B Side, runout, etched
MW-9562A Side, label
MW-9563B Side, label
MSD-1679-1 I RT 1A side runout
MSD-1680-1 1B side runout
MSD.1679A side label
MSD.1680B side label
MSD-1679-1 RT BBA side runout
MSD-1680-1B side runout
MSD.1679A side label
MSD.1680B side label
45-MSD-1679-1C N H 1A side runout, stamped
45-MSD-1680-1C I H 1B side runout, stamped
MSD.1679A side label
MSD.1680B side label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Australia | London Records HL-1182First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | Australia | London Records 45-HL-1182First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | Canada | Dot Records 15558First year10", 78 RPM | 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | Germany | London Records DL 20 111First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1957 | New Zealand | London Records 45-NZL.221First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | New Zealand | London Records NZL.221First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | London Records 45-HL.D 8424 / London Records 45-HLD 8424First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | UK | London American Recordings HL-D.8424First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | US | Dot Records 15558First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | Canada | Dot Records 45-15558First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | Canada | Dot Records 45-15558First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Dot Records 45-15558First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Dot Records 45-15558First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | UK | London American Recordings HL-D.8424First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | London American Recordings HL-D.8424First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | London Records 45-HL-11827", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | Norway | Dot Records D 126Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Norway | Dot Records D 126Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
20 vinyl pressings of Dark Moon / A Little Too Late are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US, UK, Canada, Netherlands and more. One of them is Dot Records 45-15558, released March 1957.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-15558, 15558, HL-D.8424, 45-HL.D 8424) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MW 9562-7 I A4 and MW 9563-8 I A̶ B3. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
